San Bernardino neighborhood stunned by the loss of Mary Blaskey, who was found dead in her home

Police are looking for a 2001 grayish-green Lexus ES300 with California license plate 4ULT539. Anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1. Also, anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the San Bernardino Police Department at 909-384-5742. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 909-384-5656.

SAN BERNARDINO - Mary Blaskey lived on a tree-lined street in the coveted Valencia area of the city, where the most distinct noise is traffic on the nearby 210 Freeway or the occasional barking dog.

The 76-year-old woman had been spending more time the last few weeks at home, because she had been feeling ill. And she even took time off from her beloved job as a substitute clerk at San Gorgonio High School so she could have time to herself.

Some time on Wednesday, at least one person got into her house, killed her and ransacked the residence before taking off in her Lexus, police said.

It's a story that leaves neighbors - many who are retirees themselves - nervous.

"It gives me the creeps - the whole thing," Joane Kitching said.

San Bernardino police detectives continued their search Thursday for clues in Blaskey's killing. Several investigators looked inside her home, while members of Blaskey's family gathered outside.

Relatives said they weren't ready to talk about Blaskey or her death.

But neighbors described her as a friendly, helpful and funny woman who had lived in the 3000 block of Fremontia Drive for many years.

"She was a great neighbor," said Ken Stout. "She will be missed around here."

One of Blaskey's sons found her dead shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday. Her home had been ransacked, and her 2001 grayish-green Lexus ES300 was missing.

Police on Thursday said they had not made an arrest and that no suspects had been identified.

Gilbert and Joane Kitching, who have lived on the street 22 years, say the neighborhood is not known for having crime. Numerous residents have lived on the short street between 30th Street and Lynwood Drive for many years.

"It was a quiet neighborhood until all this happened," Gilbert Kitching said. "Until the 210 came into being, it was even quieter."

Stout said Blaskey often visited one of her neighbors, who was recovering from cancer surgery.

"She helped with things around the house," he said.

The killing, Gilbert Kitching says, has left him feeling "not very secure" about his safety on the street. He and his wife plan to set their security alarm at night from now on.

Blaskey had worked for San Bernardino City Unified School District as a clerk and secretary since 1994 and retired in 2006, said district spokeswoman Linda Bardere. She continued to work as a clerical substitute at San Gorgonio High School and other schools until about two weeks ago.

"Immediately after retiring, she came back to help San G as a sub and has literally been in every position in the office to fill in as needed," Principal Jim Dilday said. "There's never been a single complaint about her."

She often worked in the front office but also helped out in counseling, the vice principal's office, attendance and registration.

When employees became overwhelmed with enrollment paperwork in the fall, she came in and helped late into the night "just for the love of San Gorgonio," Dilday said.

"She was very quiet, mild-mannered," Dilday said. "There wasn't anything that ever rattled her. If she was ever upset about anything, it certainly didn't show."

Many educators knew her as "Mary Beth," a woman whose response to any task was, "No problem."

"Mary Beth could calm any situation she was involved in," said Marguerite Williams, a principal on assignment in secondary education.

Williams said Blaskey was her right-hand person when she was a new vice principal at San Gorgonio. The task often called for calming down parents who were upset that their child had been suspended.

"She really cared about people," Williams said. "That's why this is so disheartening that someone would do this to her."

Councilwoman Wendy McCammack, whose ward includes the neighborhood where the homicide occurred, will hold a special meeting Wednesday with Police Chief Robert Handy on Blaskey's death and other safety issues.

The meeting will be 6:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Country Club, 3433 Parkside Drive.